Saliva ejector shut-off device for dental units



Nov. 4, 1969 3,476,144

SALIVA EJECTOR SHUT-OFF DEVICE FOR DENTAL UNITS J. D. KRANTZ Filed Feb. 2. 1968 INVENTOR. JOHN D. KRANTZ BY Mafia:

1 r --va //a l Z- 0 ATTORNEY:

United States Patent US. Cl. 137-544 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shut-off device is provided for insertion between a suction hose and the conventional saliva ejector tube positioned in a patients mouth. The device comprises a valve member having an interior valve seat and a valve body threaded to the valve member and including a valve head for seating on the seat upon threading of the members together. The valve body includes a reduced diameter portion for receiving one end of the suction hose normally receiving the saliva ejector-mouthpiece. The valve member in turn includes a nipple portion for receiving the end of the mouthpiece normally receiving the suction hose. Threading or unthreading of the members thus provides a very convenient control of suction for the saliva ejector.

This invention relates generally to dental equipment and more particularly to a manually operable shut-off device for insertion between a suction hose and saliva ejection mouthpiece.

During dental treatment, it is common practice to eject saliva and other mouth fluids from the area being treated by means of a saliva ejection tube. This tube is in the shape of an inverted U and connects to a flexible suction hose leading from a dental unit or console. The control of suction for the hose is effected by a suitable valve in the dental unit or console itself.

In the modernization of dental equipment, it is desirable to position as many controls as possible in a manner for convenient manual operation by the doctor or nurse while treating the patient. Towards this end, portable console units have been developed which may be rolled to a position immediately adjacent to the patient. In such units, the available space on the control panel is limited and it is therefore desirable to minimize the number of controls necessary on the face of the panel.

In addition to the foregoing, and with respect particularly to the problems of saliva ejection, the treatment of a patient could be greatly facilitated if a doctor could control the saliva suction in a convenient manner without having to turn away from the patient or otherwise have his attention distracted.

With the foregoing considerations in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and convenient shut-0E device for insertion between a suction hose and saliva ejection mouthpiece all to the end that saliva ejection suction is controllable in the immediate treatment area.

Another important object is to provide a saliva ejection shut-off device which may readily be incorporated in existing ejection tubes and suction hoses without requiring any modification of the existing equipment.

Still another object is to provide a saliva ejection control device positioned at the saliva ejection tube itself and thus particularly well suited for portable dental units wherein a control heretofore deemed necessary on the unit can be wholly eliminated.

Briefly, these and many other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a first member receiving the end of a suction hose normally receiving the saliva ejection mouthpiece tube, and a second member for receiving the end of the mouthpiece tube normally receiving the suction hose. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second members are threaded together in such a manner as to be capable of axial movement towards and away from each other. The first member constitutes a valve body defining an interior valve seat and the second member defines a valve head adapted to seat on the valve seat upon threading of the members together. The valve head and valve seat thus define a variable sized orifice the size depending upon the degree of threading. The suction may be completely cut off by complete threading of the head down onto the seat.

With the foregoing arrangement, a very convenient suction control is provided directly at the area of a patients mouth for convenient use by the dentist or nurse. Further, when this control is used, the normal suction control located in the dental unit or console can be eliminated thereby reducing costs in the overall dental equipment as well as conserving space. i

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portable dental unit including a suction hose and saliva ejection mouthpiece incorporating the novel shut-off device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in cross section, of the shut-off device;

FIGURE 3 is another partially cross sectioned elevational view showing the shut-off device in closed position; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but illustrating the shut-off device in open position.

Referring first to FIGURE 1 there is shown a portable dental unit or console 10 having suitable foot operated controls 11 and various dental instruments 12 on its top front panel. One of these units includes a suction hose 13 for connection to a normal saliva ejection mouthpiece 14. The suction for the hose 13 is normally under control of a suitable valve 15 on the dental unit.

In accord with the present invention, there is provided a novel shut-off device indicated generally by the arrow 16 adapted to be inserted between the suction hose 13 and the saliva ejection mouthpiece 14.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 2, the device 16 includes a first member 17 in the form of a valve body having a reduced diameter portion at one end for receiving the end of the suction hose 13 normally receiving the saliva ejection tube, and a second member in the form of a valve member 18 including a socket assembly 19 for receiving the end of the saliva ejection tube 14 normally received in the suction hose 13. Exterior portions of the first and second members are knurled as at 20 and 21 respectively to facilitate relative rotation of these members.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the valve member 17 includes at the end opposite to its reduced diameter portion receiving the hose 13, an interior threaded portion 22 and a conical interior valve seat 23. The interior threads 22 are designed to cooperate with mating exterior threads 24 on the valve member 18. This valve member in turn includes a valve head 25 shown positioned on the valve seat 23 in FIGURE 3. The valve body 17 defines a first interior portion designated generally by the arrow 26 receiving the valve body and valve head as shown.

The valve body 18 itself includes a second interior portion 27 in communication with the first interior portion 26 as by means of side passages 28 and 29 opening out on either side of the valve head 25. An O-ring 30 provides a seal between the interior portion 26 and the threaded area of the two members.

Referring now to the upper portion of the valve member 18, it will be evident that the second hollow interior portion 27 opens out at its upper end. The periphery of this upper end portion is exteriorly threaded at 31 for receiving a retaining member 32. A flexible nipple structure 33 surrounds the retaining member 32 and defines a suitable receiving socket for the end of the saliva ejec tion tube 14. The retaining member includes a central opening 34 providing communication between the end of the tube 14 and the second hollow interior portion 27.

The assembly is completed by a strainer means 35 received in the second hollow interior portion 27 and including an annular lip 36 overlying the upper exteriorly threaded portion of the valve member. With this arrangement, it will be evident that the retaining member 32 serves to securely support the strainer means 35 within the hollow interior portion 27. Further, it will be evident that with the foregoing arrangement the suction assembly portion of the valve member 18 may be readily disassembled for easy cleaning.

The operation of the shut-off device will be clearly evident by now referring to both FIGURES 3 and 4 together. Initially, the end of the suction hose 13 normally receiving the saliva ejection tube is simply inserted over the reduced diameter portion of the valve body 17 and the end of the salvia ejection tube frictionally received in the nipple structure 19. The cooperating threads 22 and 24 on the valve body 17 and valve member 18 respectively are designed such that when the valve member is almost completely threaded within the valve body, the head 25 will seat on the valve seat 23 thereby isolating the saliva ejection tube from any suction.

When it is desired to apply suction to the saliva ejection tube, the doctor or nurse need only effect a relative rotation of the valve body and valve member to slightly unthread the same to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. In this position, it will be evident that the valve head 25 has been raised from the valve seat 23 thereby permitting suction to be applied to the first interior hollow portion of the valve body. This suction will then draw saliva and other mouth fluids through the tube 14, strainer 35, and side passages 28 and 29 into the tube 13.

As a consequence of the threaded engagement of the members, it is possible to control the suction by varying the degree of unthreading and thus the degree that the head 25 is raised above the annular valve seat 23. In this respect, a variable sized orifice is effectively provided.

To shutoff the suction, it is only necessary to thread the valve member almost completely into the valve body to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the present invention has provided a very simple and reliable shut-olf device for saliva ejection tubes wherein the various objects set forth heretofore are fully realized.

What is claimed is:

1. A shut-off device for insertion in a suction hose coupled to a saliva ejection mouthpiece tube, comprising, in combination:

(a) a first member in the form of a valve body having a first hollow interior portion defining at one interior end a valve seat, and at its opposite end, an interiorly threaded opening, the exterior portion of said valve body at said one end being reduced in diameter for receiving the end of said suction hose normally receiving said mouthpiece tube;

(b) a second member in the form of a socket assembly including a valve member having exterior threads for mating with said interior threads of said valve body and a valve head at one end extending into said hollow interior of said valve body in a position to seat on said valve seat upon threading of said valve member into said valve body, the other end of said valve member defining a second hollow interior portion opening out said other end;

(c) a strainer means received in said second hollow interior portion;

((1) a retaining means having a central opening and thread means for threading to said other end of said valve member to hold said strainer means in said second interior portion; and,

(e) a flexible nipple received over said retaining means on said other end for receiving the end of said mouthpiece tube normally connected to said suction hose, said valve member including interior side fluid passages providing communication between said first and second hollow interior portions,

whereby suction may be gradually applied to said mouthpiece tube by unthreading of said valve member a sufiicient distance to raise said valve head from said valve seat and said suction may be isolated from said mouthpiece tube by threading said valve member into said valve body a sufiicient distance to seat said valve head on said valve seat, and whereby said socket assembly may be readily disassembled to facilitate cleaning of said strainer means and interior portions of said valve member and valve body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 602,572 4/1898 Browne et al 3233 1,423,418 7/1922 Grikscheit 251346 1,960,335 5/1934 Finnie et al 137-549 XR 2,357,657 9/1944 Jensen 137549 XR 2,711,586 6/1955 Groves 3233 3,012,322 12/1961 Thompson 32-33 FOREIGN PATENTS 841,895 7/1960 Great Britain.

329,143 5/ 1958 Switzerland.

HENRY T. KLINKSIEK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 32--33; 251-346 

